We make a Good Pair!

This was left on our front porch for Ethan?????????

Student of the Month - Matthew

I got a phone call the morning I was leaving to go out of town and the morning we decided Matthew was going to stay home from school because he had a rough night sleeping with a bad cold. Matthew's teacher told me he was going to be honored to day as Student of the month. I told Matthew he might really want to go to school today. He figured out why I thought that, but still felt he should stay home. He is not one to miss out anything.  So Steve ended up taking him to school just for the assembly. And this is what Matthew's teacher had to say about him.

"Matthew is an outstanding student.  He enters the class each morning with a positive attitude ready to start the day.  Matthew follows ALL class rules by listening carefully, following directions, respecting others, and always coming prepared.  He enjoys helping his classmates and encouraging others.  I can always count on Matthew to participate in anything we do.  On top of following classroom rules, Matthew ran his first mile this year in 6 minutes and 20 seconds, Way to Go!  Thanks for being an awesome student Matthew!  You get a bonus of $50 "King's Cash" this week."

Date Night Basketball Game

Steve got tickets to the Bakersfield Jam basketball game through OXY.  They also fed us a nice dinner beforehand.  It is always nice to have a date night, no matter what we do and when it is free.

 

Ladybugs & Nora

Jacob when to his first friend's 1st birthday party.

 Little Nora and the Lady Bugs.  They were everywhere.

 

18 Months Later

He has been counting down the days for the last 3 months.

Congratulations Ethan on a job well done.

This was worth every penny!

It's like a haircut. He looks so much older.

President's Day Adventures

Ventura Beach on President's Day

Jacob's first time at the beach.

A view of Ventura from Grant Park

San Buena Ventura Mission - the twins are studying California Missions in school this year, so it was fun to visit this one while we were in Ventura. 

We also did some thrift store shopping while in town.  It was fun but there weren't any real good finds this time.

Daddy Daughter Achievement Day Activity

So the daddy-O's got to spend an evening with their cute girlies roasting hot dogs and smores and telling stories aournd the campfire in the Morris's backyard.  Rachel said they had to say a little prayer in her head as her and her dad let the Chinese Lantern off.  What a great opportunity to see all these lanterns lite up in the sky.  Rachel's was the first one to catch on fire and fall.   

Lunch with Tom Birdseye

Rachel had lunch with Tom Birdseye who is an author of Storm Mountain, Attach of the Mutant Underwear and others. She had to write three reasons why she wanted to meet him and she wrote that she wanted to know 1. Where he got the topic to write Attack of the Mutant Underwear? 2. What inspired him to become a writer? 3. What other hobbies does he have besides writing?

They picked 2 students from each class and Rachel and Clayton were picked. They ate Subway with Tom and she found out that he was inspired by another author and he loves to be outdoors and that he was really tall.

Uncle Ryan and "Aunt" Madelyn's Visit

Ryan brought Madelyn to California.  So glad we got to meet her.  It was a very relaxing visit.  She was lots of fun and yet so mellow all at the same time.  However, the two of them together was almost making me sick.  They are in love and it shows both ways.  So excited for them if Ryan decides to make the move and propose.  We will see! 

Ryan showed us how to eat a pomegranate and we did some Just Dance 3.  The kids loved picking out the song for Ryan and Madelyn to do together.  I can't remember the name, but it was a couple dancing to a love song.  AHHHH!!!

 

 

Lauren's Play

This is one of Lauren's forts. She adopts a different corner every now and again and turns it in to her little forts and gets lost for hours playing with her dolls.